A person died Monday morning after a structure fire on North Kootenai Road in Bonner County, Idaho.
Multiple agencies responded to the emergency call around 3:30 a.m. The dispatch included units from the Northside Fire District, Selkirk Fire District, and Sandpoint Fire Department. Two stations from the Selkirk Fire District were also sent to the scene.
Firefighters faced immediate challenges upon arrival. The first engine crew from the Ponderay station learned during their response that an occupant might be trapped inside the residence. Upon reaching the property, crews encountered intense fire conditions and a partial collapse of the structure.
The initial search was complicated by debris and obstructions within the home. Firefighters entered through a bedroom window to begin searching accessible areas. Despite these efforts, they did not locate the occupant during the primary search phase while simultaneously working to suppress the blaze under deteriorating structural conditions.
Once the fire was brought under control, crews conducted a secondary search. They discovered the deceased individual near the rear door of the residence.
The Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office has been requested to investigate the incident. The cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time.
Investigators have identified the area of origin as a section of the home containing a wood stove, portable heaters, and extension cords. No specific ignition source has yet been pinpointed.